June 24, 2010

When Benton Goodman, director of missions (DOM) for Lamar Baptist Association, retires June 30, the thing he will miss the most is “meeting with pastors and getting to know them and their dreams and trying to match them up with churches that have similar dreams.”

Goodman, who has been DOM since January 1997, wasn’t looking for a job when the position became available. He didn’t give the search committee a resumé, but his fellow pastors gave the committee his name.

At the time, Goodman was serving as pastor of Millport Baptist Church and director of evangelism for the association, which allowed him to establish a good rapport with the other pastors and churches.

He agreed to become DOM because he loves the work of the pastor and wanted to help pastors.

And Goodman is not sorry he made the move. “I’ve loved every minute of it,” he said.

Completing 50 years in full-time ministry with his retirement, Goodman said he has learned “nothing stays the same.”

“I’ve learned that pastors are generally good people and that churches want to grow … (in order) to fulfill the Great Commission,” Goodman said. “I’ve learned that if we take one step at a time, we do it better.”

Goodman, who has served as pastor in Alabama and Mississippi for a total of 33 years and as a music director for four years, plans to enjoy retirement by traveling with his wife of 48 years, Pat, who will retire in September, as well as by doing some interim work and supply preaching.

Goodman’s advice for the next Lamar Association DOM is to “love your pastors and love your churches, and they will know if you do — you won’t even have to tell them.”

To contact Goodman about preaching or interim possibilities, call 205-695-6534.